Lolo Jones Coming To Indiana For A ‘Track Meet Within A Concert’

Published by the Indianapolis Star on May 1, 2014

A 40-yard dash? Band? Cheerleaders?

Is this football or track and field?

It is the American Track League, and it kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday at Indiana University’s track in Bloomington. Admission is free.

The league, which features at least five meets and as many as eight, is the brainchild of Georgia-based agent Paul Doyle. His aim is to revolutionize the presentation of the sport, and he has characterized this event as a “track meet within a concert.”

Entries include the most well-known U.S. track athlete, Lolo Jones, who has competed in two summer Olympics in the 100-meter hurdles and one winter Olympics in bobsled. She is in a field that includes Kristi Castlin, who clocked a world-leading time of 12.58 seconds at last week’s Drake Relays and beat 2013 world champion Brianna Rollins.

There will also be a Hoosier flavor with IU graduates Kind Butler in the 400 meters, Andy Bayer in the 1,500 and De’Sean Turner in the steeplechase. Another IU grad, Molly Beckwith-Ludlow, will race Olympic finalist Morgan Uceny, Plymouth, in the women’s 800. Former IU high jumper Derek Drouin was originally scheduled to participate but pulled out after breaking his own Canadian record at Drake.

There are only 10 events, and the meet is to be completed within two hours. The Velveteen Playboys will provide live music on the infield, and an Atlanta dance team will perform. Fans will be allowed to line the runway in the high jump and pole vault, and athletes are encouraged to interact with them.